Imaging of the total solar eclipse on March 29, 2006

Combined videometric and spectrometric observations were carried out during the total solar eclipse on March 29, 2006 from an observation post located on the central line of totality near the town of Manavgat, Turkey. Series of digital images of the solar disk and corona as well as of a near-sun sky area were collected during all phases of the phenomenon. Solar disk images between I and II contacts and between III and IV contacts were obtained with the simultaneous measurement of the spectral distribution of incident solar energy in the visible and near-infrared ranges. The eclipse imaging was used to trace back the atmospheric conditions while carrying out the spectrometric measurements and to match spectral data to the eclipse phases. By videometric data, it was established that the fluctuations in the spectral distribution of solar radiation within several time intervals were caused by appearance of fine cloudy structures in front of the solar disk. In addition, the potential to apply the collected images in studies of the shape, orientation, structure and dimensions of the solar corona and its fragments is described. Maximal dimensions of the registered corona exceeding 16 solar radii and structures with dimensions of over 6 solar radii were observable after appropriate image processing.